1
|
Casey CB, Weindorf S, Levy E, Linsky JMJ, Cade DE, Goldbogen JA, Nowacek DP, Friedlaender AS. Acoustic signalling and behaviour of Antarctic minke whales ( Balaenoptera bonaerensis). R Soc Open Sci 2022; 9:211557. [PMID: 35911199 PMCID: PMC9326272 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.211557] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2021] [Accepted: 06/22/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Acoustic signalling is the predominant form of communication among cetaceans. Understanding the behavioural state of calling individuals can provide insights into the specific function of sound production; in turn, this information can aid the evaluation of passive monitoring datasets to estimate species presence, density, and behaviour. Antarctic minke whales are the most numerous baleen whale species in the Southern Ocean. However, our knowledge of their vocal behaviour is limited. Using, to our knowledge, the first animal-borne audio-video documentation of underwater behaviour in this species, we characterize Antarctic minke whale sound production and evaluate the association between acoustic behaviour, foraging behaviour, diel patterns and the presence of close conspecifics. In addition to the previously described downsweep call, we find evidence of three novel calls not previously described in their vocal repertoire. Overall, these signals displayed peak frequencies between 90 and 175 Hz and ranged from 0.2 to 0.8 s on average (90% duration). Additionally, each of the four call types was associated with measured behavioural and environmental parameters. Our results represent a significant advancement in understanding of the life history of this species and improve our capacity to acoustically monitor minke whales in a rapidly changing Antarctic region.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- C. B. Casey
- Institute for Marine Sciences, Long Marine Laboratory, University of California Santa Cruz, 115 McAllister Way, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, USA
| | - S. Weindorf
- Institute for Marine Sciences, Long Marine Laboratory, University of California Santa Cruz, 115 McAllister Way, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, USA
| | - E. Levy
- Institute for Marine Sciences, Long Marine Laboratory, University of California Santa Cruz, 115 McAllister Way, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, USA
| | - J. M. J. Linsky
- Institute for Marine Sciences, Long Marine Laboratory, University of California Santa Cruz, 115 McAllister Way, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, USA
| | - D. E. Cade
- Institute for Marine Sciences, Long Marine Laboratory, University of California Santa Cruz, 115 McAllister Way, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, USA
- Department of Biology, Hopkins Marine Station, Stanford University, 120 Ocean View Blvd, Pacific Grove, CA 93950, USA
| | - J. A. Goldbogen
- Department of Biology, Hopkins Marine Station, Stanford University, 120 Ocean View Blvd, Pacific Grove, CA 93950, USA
| | - D. P. Nowacek
- Nicholas School of the Environment and Pratt School of Engineering, Duke University Marine Laboratory, 135 Duke Marine Lab Road, Beaufort, NC 28516, USA
| | - A. S. Friedlaender
- Institute for Marine Sciences, Long Marine Laboratory, University of California Santa Cruz, 115 McAllister Way, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, USA
- Ocean Sciences Department, University of California Santa Cruz, 115 McAllister Way, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, USA
| |
Collapse
|